Besides the efficient way of getting around NYC, there is little to admire about subway stops. The 23rd street, "R" stop is an exception to the rule.
It was renovated in the 1970's with squeaky clean white tile and lovely hat mosaic work. As the last vestige of millinery is on 36 and 37th streets between 5th and 6th Avenues, there is still a Millinery synagog on 6th Avenue between 36 and 37 street, one might wonder why 23rd street was picked as the hat subway stop.
The 23rd street subway stop was opened in 1918. Back then 23 street was still the center of the NYC fashion world. Tiffany's was situated on Union Square and Lord and Taylor had opened on Broadway and 19th street in 1918. The neighboring areas of 5th and 6th avenues from 14th -23rd streets is designated Ladies Mile as a reminder of the glorious department stores that were once found there. I am sure that many elegantly plumed hats were seen on the 23rd street platforms back then.
Here are some of the mosaics that remind us of those bye gone days.
Hat worn by Fay Templeton, Singer and actress.
Boater hat worn by Maud Nathan, reformer.
a dandy fedora worn by Irishman Oscar Wilde. Writer and poet.
Top hat worn by Clement C. Moore, author.
Boater worn by Film Actress Mary Pickford.
Bowler worn by Scott Joplin, Composer.
Veiled boater as worn by Eleanor Roosevelt. humanitarian.
High crowned bowler as worn by James Corbett aka Gentleman Jim, Boxer.
Fascinator worn by actress Sarah Bernhardt.
Porkpie worn by Charles Melville Dewey, Artist.
Breton worn by Edwin Porter, film maker.
Large brim fedora worn by William Randolph Hearst, newspaper publisher.
Plumed tri-corn hat worn by Lillie Langtry, actress.
Boater worn by Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) author.
Shallow crown boater with bird wing trim. Worn by Eva Tanguay, entertainer.
Boaters worn by Billie Burke, entertainer and Florence Ziegfield, theatrical producer.
Bowler worn by William Barclay Parsons, Chief Engineer of the rapid transit Commission.
High crown fedora worn by William A. Pendergast, NYC Comptroller.
Basque beret worn by Edward Penfield, graphic artist.
Snazy boater worn by Arthur Davis, artist.
Bow trimmed hat worn by Gertrude Kasebier, photographer.
A cloth newsboy cap worn by Joseph Barondess. labor leader. Working men wore cloth caps.
A musketeer hat worn by John Barrymore, actor. The right side is usually cocked up to allow the horse rider to swing his sword.
A witch crown hat trimmed with ribbon rosettes worn by prima donna Lillian Russell.
Jockey cap worn by Nellie Bly, stunt person and journalist.
Magic boater as worn by Ehrich Weiss aka Harry Houdini, magician.
Beautiful slouch cap worn by William sidney Porter (O'HENRY) author.
Richly trimmed hat worn by Isadora Duncan, dancer.
If the hat fits, wear it!!
The End.
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